I Can’t Group Build

I think I am missing a muscle….maybe a gene?

See, I finish every model I start. Ok, maybe I have to dial that one back a little. I swear I finish well over 90% of the models that I start. I only have a couple shelf queens. And yeah, a couple of them have been queen-ing for some time now.

Never mind that.

Generally speaking, once I commit to starting something, I will finish it. And I’ve got a few display cabinets to prove it. Just recently I finished a CF-104 that I started a year ago, and then put away for a bit. So, yes – I do finish my models.

And when it comes to the social side of model building, I’ve been known to attend the odd build night at the local hobby shop or online and I have also been over to friends’ homes for build nights as well. These are very informal affairs with just as much BS and banter as actual model building. But by the end of those build nights you can tell that I have moved the build needle a little…. sometimes by a smidge.

But I tell you. I can’t group build.

For those that don’t know, a group build is a social contract that binds at least two (but usually more) model builders. The modelers decide on a common theme – be it a specific vehicle, an era, a nationality, location, etc. And those modelers agree on a timeframe for completion. This can be as little as a long weekend or it can take a year. Once those parameters are decided upon it is up to the individual participants to start and complete their group build entry in the required timeframe. Rewards for completing the contract are usually nothing more than bragging rights. Some make it interesting with pooled resources and prizes. The penalties for breach are relatively light. It is rare for a modeler to get physically hurt if they don’t complete their group build entry. But they should be prepared for hazing and ridicule.

I can tell you that a looong time ago I had an extremely successful group build. There were a half dozen of us who bought the Tamiya Gekko because our LHS had them on a blow out. Less than $20 if I recall. A real deal! The buddies all agreed on a 9 month timeline with the goal of displaying our completed builds at that next local contest. The first one to finish was to receive an actual bottle of Canadian Rye.

I was the only one to finish. And I put my model on the contest table. Though, not in the ‘group build’ category.

…I have yet to receive that bottle of rye…

Since then, I’ve unsuccessfully participated in several group builds. Even those that were well within my model building wheelhouse. Oh sure, I can usually get things started easily enough. Some parts are snipped and glued. Some subassemblies are painted. And maybe a fuselage is closed up. But at some point, I just put it down for weeks. More often than not, I just want to build something else with my time. Instead of getting things primed and painted, I start looking longingly at other model kit boxes that I have. I start thinking of more exciting projects.

I had this great idea of hosting an annual group build in my Facebook group. Twice I started. Twice I did not finish in time (though…. I did eventually finish). Luckily my lack of momentum did not affect other builders. We had plenty of finishers and there were plenty of excellent models.

So – what is the trick to it? I’d like to know about your group build experiences. Both successful and unsuccessful. Do you find them difficult to keep up with? Or, what do you do to stay interested in the group build? Are there any good strategies to use aside from the promise of future rye? Let me know in the comments!